Lions must start well to have a chance against wounded animal of All Blacks

Charlie Sharples column

The first event for my testimonial year was held last weekend with the Lions Brunch at Kingsholm and it couldn’t have gone much better.

I was a bit nervous beforehand because it was my first event and a lot of work went into it from the committee so we wanted it to be a success and everyone by all accounts had a good time, which was probably helped by the fact it was such a good game and the Lions got the win against New Zealand.

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When Sonny Bill Williams got red carded I knew the Lions would have a sniff and obviously the inclement weather that came would work in the Lions’ favour but then they gave away penalty after penalty so I thought they were going to blow it.

The Lions scored two really good tries from Taulupe Faletau and Conor Murray to get back level though and the penalty from Owen Farrell to win it.

It was a really good performance. Okay, it was against a 14-man All Blacks side but it’s set it up nicely for the final Test on Saturday and it’s anyone’s game now.

It was a great game, especially those last five minutes or so when it was really tense.

The tackle on Anthony Watson that saw Sonny Bill Williams sent off

The referee made the right call to send off Williams. It was a reckless and needless challenge.

Anthony Watson was already pretty much tackled by the other player and he’s come straight in with the shoulder, which is how people get seriously hurt and it is the sort of thing that needs to be eliminated from the game.

The All Blacks are going to be reeling from that defeat and it’s not often they get put on the back foot and put in the corner like this.

They’re going to be feeling a lot of pressure from the whole country, whearas the Lions will be relishing this game with nothing to lose.

But I feel the All Blacks are going to be like a wounded animal and come out fighting hard.

It it’s a bit drier it will play into their hands and we’ll see some more expansive, attacking rugby from them so as much as I’d like the Lions to win I think they could take it to another level.

The All Blacks will come out with some venom but if the Lions can match it and silence the crowd, get New Zealand feeling a bit nervous with an early try or early lead I think they’ve got a chance.

New Zealand are used to being in control and dominating teams so a bit of anxiety could set in for them but if they come out and get the upper hand then I don’t think there will be any catching them.

Warren Gatland

A good coach knows how to manage the players and Warren Gatland has allowed the squad to relax a bit after the first Test with some players taking part in activities like bungee jumping as well as enjoying a couple of beers.

Those guys have had a pretty long camp so far and they know it’s a massive game this weekend but they need to relax and enjoy themselves to take their mind off it a little bit.

That’s what the Lions tours are about. It’s a rugby tour but they also want to enjoy New Zealand as a country, enjoy each other’s company and enjoy what a special occasion it is so I’m sure something like that will get the best out of the players but we’ll see.

Johan has been working the lads hard

All of the Gloucester lads have been really impressed by Johan Ackermann this week.

Our new head coach for the 2017-18 season came in on Monday, addressed all the players and I think everything we heard about him is true.

Johan Ackermann

He comes across as a really good block with a real emphasis on the team and the players coming together – and he’s a big man.

It’s a shame he’s just here for a week but I’m really looking forward to when he comes back permanently when we can see more of him.

He watched training on Monday and on Tuesday he took the forwards off for a session after our team conditioning session.

By all accounts it was one of the toughest ones they’ve ever done so he worked those boys hard.